Teaspoonful sugar dispenser



April 19, 1955 H. J. BEAN TEAsPooNFUL SUGAR DISPENSER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed Oct. 9, 1951 INVENTOR.

Har@ :Zean Y llllll April 19, 1955 H. J. BEAN l TEAsPooNFUL SUGARDISPENSER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 9, 1.951

l n l INVEWTOR. Hag@ Jean/ lllllllllnlllllll United States PatentTEASPOONFUL SUGAR DISPENSER Harry J. Bean, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application October 9, 1951, Serial No. 250,470 2 claims. (ci. 222-336)My invention relates to devices for dispensing relatively smallquantities, by hand manipulation, of granular materials and moreparticularly sugar.

It is a purpose of my invention to provide a dispenser particularlydesigned for dispensing granulated sugar in teaspoonful quantities so asto render it especially useful in restaurants not only to economize onthe use of sugar by customers, but to eliminate the unsanitary practiceoccasioned by use of the conventional sugar bowl which necessitates theuse of ones own spoon and the consequent contamination of the sugar inthe bowl.

It is also a purpose of my invention to provide a sugar dispenser whichis particularly designed for use in the kitchen of the home since itprovides hand-manipulated means for dispensing sugar in teaspoonfulquantities directly into a cup/or other receptacle without the necessityof lifting the dispenser or cup from a table.

A further purpose of my invention is the provision of a dispenserembodying a container having a storage chamber for sugar in which thesugar is normally protected against contamination, a dispensing chamberin the form of a spout, and hand-operated means controlling the passageof sugar from the storage chamber to the dispensing chamber so that asrequired sugar can be dispensed from the container in a quantity equalto a teaspoonful with actuation of the hand-operated means.

I will describe only two forms of dispensers, each embodying myinvention, and will then point out the novel features thereof in claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. l is a view showing in perspective one form of dispenser embodyingmy invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the dispenser shown inFig. l. Y

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of the dispenser shownin Fig. 1 but inverted in relation to the showing of Fig. 2, and withthe plunger thereof in sugar charging position as distinguished from thedischarging position shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional View taken on the line 4--4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fi 2.

lig. 6 is a view showing in perspective another form of dispenserembodying my invention.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view of thedispenser shown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 8 8 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on the line 9 9 ofFig. 7.

Fig. 10 is a detail perspective view of the plunger shown in Fi 8.

Referring to the drawings in detail, in Figs. l to 5, I have shown oneform of dispenser which is more particularly designed for use inrestaurants for dispensing sugar, and which comprises a casingconstructed of glass or plastic material and made up of a lower sectionS and an upper section S1, these sections being connected to each otherto permit separation for cleaning when required. The lower section S isof cup form and provides a sugar storage chamber 17 which, when the twosections are assembled, permits filling of the chamber through thebottom wall 18 thereof by the provision of a filling opening 19 normallyclosed by a screw plug 20. The open upper end of the lower section S isformed with an inset collar 21 providing an annular shoulder 22, the

2,706,585 Patented Apr. 19, 1955 rice collar serving to connect thelower section to the upper section S1.

The upper section S1 comprises an annular portion 23 and a conicalportion 24, the latter providing a sugar dispensing spout or chamber andformed at its apex with a discharge opening 26. The lower end of theportion 23 is reduced in thickness Vto provide a collar 27 and anannular shoulder 28 at the upper end of the collar. The internaldiameter of the collar 27 is such as to receive the collar 21 of thelower section S and to frictionally retain the collar 21 therein withthe collar 27 abutting the shoulder 22 and the collar 21 abutting ashoulder 29 in the upper end of the collar 27. Thus the two sections Sand 1 are connected one to the other to form the container, and yet theymay be detached to gain access to the interior thereof for cleaning.

The dispenser of Fig. 2 embodies means controlling the passage of sugarfrom the storage chamber 17 to the dispensing chamber 25, and this meansincludes a guiding support generally indicated at G, and a manuallyoperated plunger generally designated at P. The support G comprises alower plate 30 preferably formed of metal and of disk shape so as to lltwithin the annular portion 23 and to be supported on the collar 21. Theupper side of the plate 30 is formed with a pair of side flanges 31connected at their ends by arcuate end flanges 32 and forming arectangular frame. Between the flanges 31 at one side of the center ofthe annular portion 23 the plate 30 is formed with an inlet opening 33.

The support G also includes an upper metal plate 34 likewise of diskform to lit within the annular portion 23 vand to abut an annularshoulder 29a, and to` thus be confined between such shoulder and theflanges 31 and 32. The plate 34 is provided with an outlet opening 35located at the opposite side of the center of the upper section S1 fromthat of the inlet opening 33. Likewise the outlet opening 35 is disposedbetween the side flanges 31.

The plunger P, which is likewise formed of metal, comprises a cylinder36 interiorly providing a measuring chamber 37 of a size to accommodate,when filled, a teaspoonful of sugar. This cylinder is of an outsidediameter to be slidably received between the flanges 31, and to beconfined therebetween by the plates 30 and 34. One side of the cylinderis provided with an extension 38 in which one end of an operating rod 39is screw-threaded and secured therein by a nut 40. This rod extendsthrough the adjacent end flange 32 as well as through a suitable opening41 in the annular portion 23, and its outer end provided with a knob 42.

For urging the cylinder 36 to the position shown in Fig. 2 wherein theupper end of the chamber 37 registers with the outlet opening 35, acoiled expansible spring 43 is interposed between the cylinder and theother end flange 32. This spring is maintained centered by bosses 44 and45 secured to the cylinder 36 and one of the end flanges 32, as clearlyshown in Fig. 2. The cylinder 36 has on the side corresponding to theboss 44 a cut-off member 46 which in the position of the cylinderillustrated in Fig. 2 closes the inlet opening 33 to prevent sugar inthe chamber 17 from entering between the flanges 31 and thus interferingwith operation of the plunger.

In the use of the dispenser, assuming that the chamber 17 has beenfilled with sugar, in order to dispense sugar from the container inteaspoonful quantities, the container is first turned upside down fromthe position shown in Fig. 1 to that shown in Fig. 3. Following suchinversion the user presses inwardly on the knob 42 to move the cylinder36 from the position shown in Fig. 2 to that shown in Fig. 3 wherein thechamber 37 now registers with the opening 33 so that sugar from thechamber 17 can ilow into and lill the chamber 37. i

Upon releasing the knob 42, the spring which has been compressed bymoving the cylinder to the aforesaid position, now expands to return thecylinder into registry with the outlet opening 35 so that the sugartherein can llow into the conical portion 24 and outwardly of the samethrough the opening 26. Since the chamber 37 contains only a teaspoonfulof sugar, the corresponding amount only is discharged from the dispenserfor use by the consumer.

With return of the cylinder 36 to the position shown n Fig. 2, themember 46 closes the opening 33 so that `ugar cannot flow into theguiding support and thus inter- 'ere with proper operation of theplunger. Also, should he dispenser be accidentally tilted or knockedover, the )pening 33 being closed by the member 46 prevents accilentaldischarge of sugar from the dispenser.

lt will, of course, be understood should more than one :easpoonful ofsugar be required the opeartion of plunger P may be repeated until thedesired number of teaspoonsul has been discharged. Manifestly, theconstruction and mode of operation of the dispenser is such that it canbe operated entirely with one hand, the lingers of the hand embracingthe container and inverting it, while the thumb operates the plunger.

An important feature of my invention is the ready manner in which theparts of the dispenser can be disassembled to permit washing andcleaning thereof, which, in all dispensers, must be done frequentlysince the sugar accumulates moisture making it lumpy and sticky andimpairing operation of the plunger to effect dispensing of sugar fromthe container. By virtue of the detachability of the sections S and S1from each other, and the construction of the guiding support G, it willbe clear that when the sections are detached the plates 30 and 34,together with the frame comprising the flanges 31 and 32, as well as theplunger P, can all be removed from the upper section S1 so that they aremade readily accessible for washing to remove sugar adhering to suchparts, so that when dried and replaced the plunger will operateeffectively to dispense sugar from the container as intended.

Referring now to the form of dispenser illustrated in Figs. 6 to l0,this dispenser is particularly designed for home use on the kitchentable, and as distinguished from the other dispenser is not adapted tobe inverted to discharge sugar therefrom but to be supported in elevatedposition on a table so that a cup or other receptacle may be extendedtherebeneath to receive sugar as emitted from the device. This form ofdispenser comprises a container including a lower section S which is ofcylindrical form and carries three legs 51 separated equidistantly aboutthe circumference of the section and curved outwardly therefrom so thata cup or dish may be extended between any two of the legs to a pointbeneath the center of the section. The upper end of the section S0 isformed with an annulus 52 spanned at its bottom by a wall 53 with whichis integrally formed a spout 53 inclined downwardly therefrom so thatits lowered end is substantially at the center of the section 50. Thewall 53 is formed with an outlet opening 54 which communicates with theupper end of the spout.

The container also includes an upper section 55 which is of cylindricalform with its lower open end supported on the annulus 52 and having africtional fit therewith, or it may be permanently secured thereto asdesired. This section 55 is interiorly provided with a funnel 56 havingits lowered end located centrally of the section, and its upper endclosed by a wall 57 provided with an opening 58 through which the funnelcan be filled with sugar. This opening is normally closed by a screwplug 59.

The annulus 52 and the wall 53 constitute part of a guiding support G1for a plunger P1. The rest of the support comprises a top plate 60supported on the annulus and fixed thereto in any suitable manner, andprovided with an opening 61 directly below the lower end of the funnel.The upper side of the wall 53 is formed with a groove 62, and secured tothe wall are a pair of plates 63 which at their straight edges overhangthe edges of the groove, as clearly shown in Fig. 9.

As shown in Fig. l0, the plunger P1 comprises a boxlike body 64 in whichis fixed a cylinder 65 the ends of which are in registration withopenings 66 in the top and bottom walls of the body. This body isslidably mounted in the groove 62 and is fixedly guided in its movementsby the provision of anges 67 on opposite sides of the bottom wallthereof which are received within the groove and retained therein by theoverhanging edges of the plates 63` As shown in Fig. l0 one end of thebody 64 is open, but the opposite end is closed and provided with anextension 68 in which one end of an operating rod 69 is screwthrcadedlysecured. This rod is slidable in a suitable opening in the annulus 52and its outer end is provided with a knob 70.

The body 64 is normally urged to the position shown 85 one extremeposition;

in Fig. 7 by means of a contractile spring 71 one end of which isconnected to an ear 72 fixed to the cylinder, and the other endconnected to an ear 73 fixedto the annulus 52.

In the operation of the dispenser, assuming that the funnel 56 is filledwith sugar, in the normal position of the cylinder 65 sugar will flowthereinto to fill the same. This cylinder is designed to provide achamber which will hold a teaspoonful of sugar only. To discharge thesugar from the cylinder all that is necessary is to exert an outwardpull on the rod 69 to shift the cylinder to a position in which itslower end registers with the opening 54. Once this is done the sugarwill ow from the cylinder into the spout 53 and from the latter into anyreceptacle placed beneath the spout such as the cup illustrated inphantom in Fig. 6. Once this dispensing operation is accomplished theuser releases the rod to allow the spring 71 to snap the plunger back tothe normal position shown in Fig. 7.

Manifestly, the construction of the container is such that the sections50 and 55 can be disconnected one from the other to allow removal of theplate 60 and thus gain access to the plunger and the parts of theguiding support for cleaning them when required, as well as to replacethem should they become worn or broken.

From the preceding description of the two forms of sugar dispensers, itwill be clear that they are both manually actuated to dispense only ateaspoonful of sugar at a time, and that the principle of operation ofone plunger is the reverse of that of the other because of the differentsprings employed and the difference in location of the inlet and theoutlet openings in relation to the plungers.

Although I have herein shown and described only two forms of sugardispensers each embodying my invention, it is to be understood thatvarious changes and modifications may be made herein without departingfrom the spirit of my invention and the spirit and scope of the appendedclaims.

What I claim is:

1. In a dispenser for granular materials, a container having a lowersection of cup from provided at its upper end with a collar, and anupper section having an annular portion and a conical portion providedat its apex with a discharge opening, a collar on the lower end of theannular portion and engaging the collar of the lower section todetachably secure the two sections together, an annular shoulder on theinner side of the annular portion, a lower plate supported on the collarof the lower section, a rectangular frame fixed on the upper side ofsaid plate, an upper plate supported on said frame, engaging saidshoulder and spanning the upper side of said frame, the lower platehaving an inlet opening therein and the upper plate having an outletopening therein oset with relation to the inlet opening, a hollowelement slidable lengthwise in said frame to occupy one position inwhich it registers with the inlet opening and another position in whichit registers with the outlet opening, a spring in said frame for urgingsaid element to the second mentioned position, and a rod detachablyconnected to said element for moving it to the first mentioned positionand movable through said annular portion.

2. In a dispenser for sugar and the like', a container having a firstsection providing a storage chamber, and a second section providing adispensing chamber and detachably connected to the first section; a pairof plates within and transversely of the sections between said chambers;guide means fixed to one of the plates and disposed between the plates;means within said sections engaging said plates to secure the same infixed position therein when said sections are assembled and to allowremoval thereof` when said sections are detached one from the other; oneof said plates provided with an inlet opening communicating with thestorage chamber, and the other of said plates provided with an outletopening communieating with the dispensing chamber and offset withrelation to the inlet opening; a plunger movable in the guide means toactuate either of two extreme positions and removable from the guidemeans when said sections are detached from each other, the plungerhaving a tubular element which in one extreme position of the plungerregisters with the inlet opening and in the other extreme position ofthe plunger registers with the outlet opening; a spring within saidguide means for urging the plunger to and a rod detachably connected toReferences Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS McLellanMay 18, 1909 6 Penck et al. July 18, 1911 Thomas Mar. 17, 1914 CooperOct. 4, 1932 Wooster Apr. 18, 1933 Biazzi et al. Apr. 30, 1935 RothsteinFeb. 28, 1939

